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G5 Howitzer | | | G5 | | Country Of Origin: | South Africa | | Designation: | 155mm towed Howitzer | | Manufacturer: | Denel | | Weight: | 9.1 m | | Length: | 2.3 m | | height: | 13.75 t | | Crew: | 8 | | Max Fire Range: | 39,000 m | The G5 is a South African towed howitzer produced by Denel. Initial versions of it were based on the 45-calibre GC-45 howitzer designed by Gerald Bull, though it has gone through many modifications and variations to reach its latest model; the 52-calibre G5-2000.
It is mounted on a slightly-modified version of a towed chassis design by NORICUM, which also includes a small APU to allow it to dig itself in and move short distances at up to 16km/h. Using the normal Extended Range, Full Bore ammunition the normal range is 39km, which can be extended to about 53km with the use of base bleed or rocket assisted rounds. It is regarded as one of the most potent artillery pieces on the modern battlefield. The G5 gun has been placed on an OMC 6x6 chassis to produce the fully self-propelled G6 howitzer, and won major export sales in this form to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. In response to a request from India it has also been tested on the back of a 4x4 wheeled truck, a combination known as the T5-2000. It has also been fitted into a turret that can be placed on any suitable vehicle. The turret is marketed as the T6 which has already been fitted on the T-72. Production history The South African Army at the start of the Angolan conflict was equipped with WW2-era artillery pieces, notable the British 25 Pounder or 140 mm. With the help of the Canadian scientist Gerald Bull and his company, Space Research Corporation they developed the GC-45 howitzer. Deliveries of the G5 (developed from the GC-45) started in 1982.
In 2002, Denel unveiled a 52-calibre version known as the G5-2000, which featured greatly enhanced range and accuracy over the 45-calibre version. Variants - G5 MkI
- G5 MkII
- G5 MkIII
- G5-2000 (52-calibre)
Operators Combat history See also
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